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An evacuation order has been issued for people in the Hollywood Hills following the spread of wildfires that are spreading in Los Angeles, with the fire chief saying that the fire is “growing rapidly”.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) says there is a “danger to life” in the area and it is officially closed to the public.
At least five fires are burning in Los Angeles, and five people have been confirmed dead.
More than 130,000 people have already fled, and the homes of many celebrities – including Paris Hilton and Billy Crystal – have been destroyed.
California fire chief David Acuna told the BBC that progress on the Hollywood Hills fire was “zero” and growing rapidly.
“The wind has been blowing continuously at 60-100mph (95-160km/h) since yesterday morning,” Acuna said. “It blew hard last night.”
The wind speed has now dropped to around 30mph, but Acuna added that “it is still significant and because there are many open spaces it is very dangerous”.
The first fire broke out on Tuesday in the Pacific Palisades area, near Malibu, while others started north of the city.
As of 20:15 local time (04:00 GMT), four fires in the Palisades, Pasadena, Sylmar, and Hollywood Hills areas covered more than 27,000 acres (42 sq miles; 109 sq km) and were 0% contained. , according to the LAFD.
One fire in the Acton area was partially extinguished, while two others were extinguished.
The fire in the Hollywood Hills – a residential area overlooking the city’s historic Hollywood – started around 18:00 on Wednesday.
Less than two hours later, much of the heart of Hollywood was covered in thick smoke, and the tops of the palm trees lining its streets were barely visible.
People used sweatshirts to cover their faces to help them breathe, while others – clearly shocked by the fire – wore only pyjamas. Many carried bags and suitcases, talking on their phones as they planned where to go.
Many streets near the fire – including Hollywood Boulevard, home of the Hollywood Walk of Fame – were closed to traffic. Some people ended up driving in the wrong direction trying to get out of the area.
Wife Anna Waldman told the BBC she started walking her dog but smelled smoke as soon as she stepped outside.
He went back inside and, looking out his back window, he saw the fire, and he watched as it moved quickly and thought it was Hollywood Hills, coming inside his house.
He packed what he could: food, clothes, blankets, food for his three dogs.
“I can’t believe this,” he said wearily, dropping his mask over his face.
Makayla Jackson, 26, and her two-year-old son, Ramari, were evacuated from a homeless shelter that was in danger of burning down, and now stood on the street waiting for a ride to a high school where assistance was provided. people.
“They just tell us to get out and go,” he said.
Firefighters battling the blaze are running out of water and have had to get water from swimming pools and ponds.
Officials said three separate million-gallon tanks were full before the fire started, but that the height of the fire meant the water could not flow quickly enough to keep the water flowing in the affected areas.
The city also doesn’t see this type of fire — the Palisades fire is the most destructive in its history — and its systems are designed for urban, not wildfire, use.
